The Giants won’t face Clayton Kershaw this month. How rare is that?

At this time last season, we were asking Brandon Belt about a wicked virus that had cost him about 10 pounds. A reporter told Belt that he had “looked green” on opening day, the only game he played during the first series in Los Angeles.

“Oh, that was Kershaw.” Belt said, smiling.

The Giants have never avoided the fact that the best pitcher in baseball is in their division. In 2012, Ryan Vogelsong kept getting matched up against aces and talked about his desire to prove his own worth by beating the Kershaws of the world. Last year, Buster Posey said he always looked forward to the challenge. This offseason, when Kershaw signed a $215 million extension, I tweeted his stats against the Giants and …

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As the Giants landed in Los Angeles on Thursday night, they knew that this time around they wouldn’t have to deal with Kershaw, who is out at least a month because of a back injury. If Kershaw is unable to return before a May 8-11 series in Los Angeles, he will miss the first three series with the Giants. At the very least, Kershaw will miss two straight – this one and the matchup at AT&T Park from April 15-17.

“I don’t think that’s ever happened,” manager Bruce Bochy said. Well, not for a few years. Here’s Kershaw against the Giants since his 2008 debut:

It’s been four years since the Giants even missed Kershaw twice in one season, let alone twice in a row, and in 2011 he pitched in all six series between the rivals. In all, Kershaw has 11 wins against the Giants (his most against any team) and a 1.38 ERA. He has held them to a .478 OPS and the current Giants position players are hitting just .185 with one homer (Posey) in 249 at-bats against Kershaw. In what could be a close division race, this should have an impact. Just don’t tell that to Bochy.

“You look at their other starters,” Bochy said. “Ryu is throwing the ball well – I watched his start in San Diego. And the rest of them (are good, too). I don’t ever look at that (injury) or team and think that we’re getting a break here. If you look at it like that, it comes back to bite you.”

Alex Pavlovic

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I am still not convinced this isn’t an elaborate prank and Kershaw won’t take the mound sometime this weekend. I’ll believe he is out vs. us when I see it!
By the way, of course Matt Kemp is coming back today as well. I don’t know if that is good or bad either.

Foothills Ryan

Bochy is right. Ryu has looked great. I won’t be surprised one bit if he ties the Giants hitters up in knots today and the rest of the season.

Ryu was signed for 6/36 by the Dodgers. Puig signed for 7/42. I won’t be surprised if Ryu is the more valuable acquisition.

Matthew

Well, the stats say so…but my eyes aren’t convinced yet. Ryu has looked good against the Garden Snakes and the Priests…I think our offense will be the better test. Plus, Ryu looks like he is a connoisseur of those $25 corn dogs… 6 years is a long time.

ClutchUp

Kershaw faces more hitters in the windup than the stretch and his windup mechanics are awkward and deceiving. They are also brutal on his core. He may too have to moderate.

ClutchUp

I heard there is a cardiologist convention planned for the ARZ for the next 12 months

Foothills Ryan

He’s slimmed down. Great velocity differentials from fastball to offspeed. Nice tilt on breaking pitches. Uses fastball up in the zone well.

You jive, soul man?

Doughnut

Matthew, I agree. I think he is a good pitcher but not as good as his numbers say. I have seen him wiggle out of a lot of jams. Maybe that is a skill he has but more likely is he is benefiting from some good luck that won’t always be there.
He doesn’t overpower you so i think the more times the league sees him the tougher it will be on him.

As for the contract. No doubt it is a huge steal in today’s market. Definitely a much better pitcher then he is getting paid for. i don’t think he is an ace though.

Michael Scott

I just found out that 2013 hero Francoeur is a “Hall of Fame dude.”
Anyway- Ryu *is* a crafty devil and today looks to be a mismatch. I’ve been very doubtful of Vogie but he’s proven everybody in baseball wrong before -and every baseball writer as well. A good start, not just today, but going forward, would be bigger than anything for our chances.

Foothills Ryan

How deep in the (Dodger) Blues do you want to go ?

Bapah

The Carpenter AB is the secret to Opie.

Foothills Ryan

Nothing like enchiladas with an over-easy egg on top for breakfast, right chef? Just let the yolk run on down. Actually never done that, but egg over a tamale es muy excellente.

The Oracle

Has anyone read/heard anything about why Mac Williamson is back in San Jose to start the season? Didn’t he already prove himself at that level?

Bapah

Huevos Rancheros con Chile Verde.

Matthew

Dang…making me hungry

Michael Scott

Well, Arroyo was supposed to tie us in knots yesterday. And while he wasn’t bombed, he did give up 7 base runners in 4+ innings.

Matthew

I think your song of the weekend should be Sympathy for the Devil….I sense a core place in that Foothills heart for your childhood team.

Michael Scott

An excellent and easy soup is “Zuppa Pavese”. Homemade chicken broth, egg,a slice of good bread sautéed in butter until golden, parmesan cheese. Put the bread in the bottom of a oven proof soup bowl, sprinkle with the cheese and then pour the broth down the sides of the bowl and the top the bread with a raw egg. Bake the soup in the oven until the egg is just set, but still runny. When you dig in, the egg will run into the broth-delish and good for whatever ails you.

tjbagdad

He has a minor injury so they want him to DH everyday in San Jose because he can’t do that in Richmond. He will be moved up once he is healthy

Bapah

I have to say that because one had Dodger fondness at one time, it can be quenched. I grew up a Dodger’s fan. I loved Koufax, Drysdale, Wills, and a few others, but things change and we eschew childhood allegiances. I’m not a fan of Bonds, but I like this team and this organization. I’m now an Enlightened Fan of baseball and the Giants. My fondness of Sandy notwithstanding.

Bapah

Good info.

Matthew

The preachings of the good Reverend Gary Lavelle has led you to the fountain of goodness, my son. Rejoice in the Orange, and the Black, and the Gold of the coveted rings!!!!

Foothills Ryan

made damn sure Pilate washed his hands and sealed his fate…

More Angels than Dodgers. Everything changed once I discovered Will Clark. Kevin Mitchell helped too. Flashing you a gold tooth smile that can be seen for miles !

Foothills Ryan

Post of the month !! I know it’s early in April, but at least we’re past the first.

Michael Scott

I read that it was thought that he had an injury, although the nature of the injury was not disclosed. The act that he’s DHing would seem to lend credence to the injury talk but the Fresno web page makes no mention of it.

The Oracle

Thanks.

Michael Scott

I mean the San Jose website.

Matthew

I am already dreading the whole scene: camera shots of Lasorda and his fupa, shots of Meathead The Epilogue, Magic and his glad handing, and Stonehenge Scully.

We need to show well, send an early season message, and and send the fans home in the 6th instead of the 7th.

Foothills Ryan

Yeah, burst their beach balls.

Foothills Ryan

Get chainsaw angry Vogey ! But let it be a controlled, channeled anger.

And Go Giants! I’m hitting the road for a meeting, so hopefully your bats will be cracking and Dodgers fielders scurrying.